Francis Bacon Opera

A strong cocktail of art, theatre and music, based on one of the most glorious interviews in television history when Melvyn Bragg plied Francis Bacon with booze as cameras rolled. In 1986 Bacon unleashed a firestorm of vitriol on art, beauty, sex and death and revealed his sensitive side, often concealed in his iconic paintings. The rich text is transcribed word-for-word from the South Bank Show episode, with original music to match every twisted turn. Footage of the original interview plays at the Hugh Lane Gallery, home of the Francis Bacon studio, as part of the world famous Bacon exhibition there.

Two lunchtime performances of The Francis Bacon Opera will take place in the Hugh Lane Gallery on Tuesday May 7 and Thursday May 9